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Macasterj 
Small Brained Tadpole
Joined: 21 July 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 68
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 Topic: Patagonia and Matuse Wetsuits
Posted: 13 February 2008 at 8:13am |
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I am in the market for a new wetsuit and have checked out the Matuse and Patagonia wetsuits. They are both made from a non petroleum based rubber and the Patagonia suit is lined with a synthetic wool material. Has anyone used either of these wetsuits? Do they live up to the hype of improved warmth and durability?
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CHarvey
Top Frog
Joined: 21 December 2007
Location: Pacific Beach
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Posts: 242
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Posted: 13 February 2008 at 8:42am |
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I purchased a Matuse hoplite wet suit 4/3/2 on Sunday. Paddled out shortly after that and I have never been so comfortable in a wetsuit in the 13 years I have been surfing. When I was pddling it didn't feel like I was fighting the suit, it felt like I was wearing a t-shirt. The material is very comfortable and doesn't chafe at all. I feel it has been one of the best investments for surfing I have ever made.
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Dave
All Mighty Humpback
Big Wave Dave
Joined: 22 June 2004
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Posted: 13 February 2008 at 9:20am |
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Macasterj
Small Brained Tadpole
Joined: 21 July 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 68
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Posted: 13 February 2008 at 11:05am |
Thanks for the link. I must admit that the environmentally friendly aspect of the wetsuit weighs minimally on my decision. I am very interested in the extra warmth and durability they claim these suits have. I know they are very pricey especially when most companies sell there top of the line suits for around 300 bucks.
Also up for consideration is the Quicksilver Cell
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etmo
Wise Great White
Head Like Rock
Joined: 06 May 2006
Location: Carlsbad
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Posted: 17 February 2008 at 11:19am |
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I have a friend who has the 2/2 Patagucci full. He's a wealthy guy, and can afford the best of anything. He's raving about it. Says it's crazy light, yet slightly warmer than his custom 3/2 Hotline.
Around $550, IIRC.
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Macasterj
Small Brained Tadpole
Joined: 21 July 2007
Location: United States
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Posted: 17 February 2008 at 6:57pm |
I have finally gotten the chance to ry on both the Matuse and Patagonia wetsuits. The Matuse wetsuit was very easy to put on nad felt absolutely fantastic. Very lightweight. One of the things I noticed about though is it seems to have more panels in the chest that other wetsuits I have had and from the outside they only look glued. Once you look inside you can see the stitching and the tape around the seams. One discouraging thing I saw was two Matuse wetsuits behind the counter at the shop that were both tagged for repair. HHHHHMMMMMMMMM for 452 bucks I do not want to return my wetsuit for repairs the first season I own it.
The Patagonia wetsuit felt very thick and bulky until I put it on. Once I was in it it felt great and the Merrino wool lining is very intriguing. I was also told they are on there third production year, so hopefully the bugs are worked out of the system. 500 bills is a lot for a wetsuit!!!
Maybe I will stick to O'neill or try a Quicksilver suit.
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Baratacus
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Joined: 12 December 2007
Location: Ocean Beach
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Posted: 18 February 2008 at 11:11am |
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You can get a pategonia wool lined rash guard and wear it inside your o'neill and achieve the same effect as the 500 dollar pategonia wetsuit. I have a freind that did this and swears by it. Its very versetile.. he can wear it under his full suit, spring suit or just wear it with board shorts when its warm enough.
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You can't smell fear unless the fearfull have loose bowels.
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Otter
All Mighty Humpback
Waxing his board since the 60’s
Joined: 27 June 2004
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Posted: 18 February 2008 at 8:08pm |
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Wool lined rash guard? How heavy is it when it gets wet? Sounds totally comfy though.
Hey Baratacus, feel like surfing somewhere kind of local this coming weekend? Probably Sunday as I believe the family is heading for D-land on Saturday. Let me know Brah! 760.803.PETE(7383)
Scratch that! Heading for D-land on the weekend of the 29th, available this weekend and Sunday the following weekend.
Edited by Otter - 18 February 2008 at 9:45pm
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A bad day surfing is better than a good day working.
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Baratacus
Top Frog
Joined: 12 December 2007
Location: Ocean Beach
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Posted: 19 February 2008 at 4:35am |
I never got a chance to try it on. He was always wearing it! I didn't get out in the water this last weekend becaus I was sick as a dog... still recovering. I'd love to hit it this weekend but my parents are coming to visit from out of town. I only get to see them maybe once a year. The following sunday is a definite maybe though. 
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You can't smell fear unless the fearfull have loose bowels.
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Otter
All Mighty Humpback
Waxing his board since the 60’s
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Posted: 19 February 2008 at 7:31pm |
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Whenever you get the chance Brah! We've got to start thinking about a local Surfest for springtime!
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A bad day surfing is better than a good day working.
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nice fohawk, DONKEY!
Water Slime
Joined: 11 October 2009
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Posted: 11 October 2009 at 6:59pm |
I got one of the first year's Matuse Hoplite 4/3/2 suits and was the warmest suit i've ever had. I've had almost every brand suit at sometime or another and i never want anything else now. As far as durability i got two seasons out of it (i've never got more than one out of any oneill phyco without the knee's blowing out or something) so it was pretty good even though alot of people said they would fall apart. I'd rather pay $500 for two seasons than two $400 dollar Phyco 2's. Just take care of it. the only problem was the fluid seams cracked at places on the inside but it didn't affect warmth at all. I've never had a patagonia but i heard they feel bulky and heavy and the wool inside is uncomfortable.
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Macasterj
Small Brained Tadpole
Joined: 21 July 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 68
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Posted: 04 November 2009 at 7:55pm |
Just thought I would re-open this discussion!
Last season came and went and I did not purchase a new suit. This year I have too. The Matuse is still an option for me and this years model looks greatly improved but they raised the price. I tried a Ripcurl F Bomb and thought it was a decent suit. Seemed comfy. But I am still intrigued by the Matuse. Any one try the 2009 model yet? What were your thoughts?
Thanks!
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newbie
Small Brained Tadpole
The gloved one
Joined: 09 November 2007
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Posted: 04 November 2009 at 9:04pm |
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I would be curious to know if there LT can fit me at 6'6" and 245#. Matuse says it can go 6'6" but only 220#. That is kind of a tall, skinny surfer. I bought a Boz 4/3 last year and although it is nice and warm it does feel kind of heavy, at least heavy enough to get me thinking about the Matuse. The Boz is also just a bit tight. We'll have to see
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jhendric
Water Slime
Joined: 08 March 2009
Location: bird rock
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Posted: 05 November 2009 at 5:16am |
I bought two last-year's model Matuse wetsuits (on closeout) this fall. They're absolutely the best wetsuit I've ever owned. Furthermore, on my first outing in one I sliced the leg open with a fin. The guys at Matuse fixed it up proper for $15, including shipping it back to me. They make an amazing product that's light years ahead of standard suits from Rip Curl, O'neill, etc., and I really liked my O'neill Psycho 2 last winter.
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seawolf
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Joined: 18 September 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 243
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Posted: 05 November 2009 at 12:20pm |
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Newbie, you really need to try one on, those size charts are only a very loose guide (at least that's what I've found).
So, I bought a R2 Patagonia today. It fit very well and that's the most important thing to me. I tried other suits but they were too short in the arms/legs, or worse, hangy in the body. RipCurl was a great fit , but I wanted to try something else after a bit of quality disappointment. Patagonia really stands behind their products so, I'm hoping if I have quality issues, they'll be there. They better be at that price point.
The suit is seems very well made - I like how the paneling is and it's not over pieced/seemed in the chest. The wool is interesting (I was boiling trying it on). It is something to wrangle yourself out of the front zip though - I hope I get better at it. Hopefully I'll get to wear it this weekend :).
Edited by seawolf - 05 November 2009 at 12:22pm
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seawolf
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Location: United States
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Posted: 07 November 2009 at 2:15pm |
Originally posted by Baratacus
You can get a pategonia wool lined rash guard and wear it inside your o'neill and achieve the same effect as the 500 dollar pategonia wetsuit. |
I had a friend do this today - the wool rash guard and it worked amazing! I'm going to to the same thing under my other suit. Thanks for the tip. On the other hand, I wore my Patagonia for the first time and it is the best fitting suit yet, for me. The seams are not taped, I only noticed when I in the calf area when I first went it. It did keep me warm, impressively comfortable and I had zero flushing. Time will tell if it's worth the dinero, all things considering. You do need advanced yoga to extract yourself from it.
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themathteacher
All Mighty Humpback
Peak crumbler
Joined: 07 October 2006
Location: United States
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Posted: 07 November 2009 at 6:44pm |
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I haven't pulled the trigger on patagonia or mattuse, I go through too many wetsuits, buy one or two a year. Right now I'm in love with my Ripcurl Fbomb, the fire lining is as warm as my 4/3 but with the flex of a 3/2. I also bought an Xcel but both the suits I bought had rips right away, the factory fixed them but still a drag. However, the excel is more flexible than my Riprcurl. I think I want to try a psycho next, but they oneils usually fit me a little too tight, not sure.
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